Suddenly lethargic 8 week old, runny stools

[RuSquirrel]

Helooo? Anyone?

[island rehabber]

Let's get some details on his poop for a minute: what color? Is the odor sweet-ish, or really horrible? The difference is this:

*yellow-orange, pasty or mucus-y poop with a sickeningly sweet odor is usually COCCIDIA -- requires Baycox

*grayish-green, mucus-y poop that smells like death is usually GIARDIA -- requires Metronizadole.

[RuSquirrel]

Let's get some details on his poop for a minute: what color? Is the odor sweet-ish, or really horrible? The difference is this:

*yellow-orange, pasty or mucus-y poop with a sickeningly sweet odor is usually COCCIDIA -- requires Baycox

*grayish-green, mucus-y poop that smells like death is usually GIARDIA -- requires Metronizadole.

I attached a pic of his poo from last week. The color is hard to determine right now bc I think the squirrel blocks make it turn gray but I would have to go with more yellow than green. And yes it smells but not like death, so yeah I guess a little sweetish? My hunch all along has been coccidia. I will probably go ahead and try th baycox. I understand he needs probiotics two hours before and after the the dose and I'll continue to give pedialyte between feedings. Th instructions say one dose every 24 hrs for 1-3 days then repeat in a week if necessary. Unlesss anyone else suggests otherwise. Thanks for your help

[stepnstone]

In the beginning I suggested kaopectate, I see you've tried everything else suggested except kaopectate.
When a baby has diarrhea giving a diarrheal will turn the bowels dark/black. The "black goo" is simply diarrhea
turned black from the diarrheal and showing it's in the babies system. Expecting results even with a diarrheal
takes time and possibly several doses and or days depending on the severity of the diarrhea.

I'm going to make another suggestion to you that I was turned on to by another MR of 20+ years. I have used
it myself as well as had a few others try it with success that also had thrown the book at their babies trying to
stop diarrhea.

First, only formula, nothing added in with it. Go and purchase a liquid called "Wet-tail" or "Dri-tail". (same thing)
It's a sulfa medication, inexpensive and can be found just about anyplace pet supplies are sold and usually in the
Hamster section. Dose with kaopectate at least 3x 6 hours apart for 1 day and also dose the wet tail. Wet tail can
be given up to 4x per 24hrs. Continue using the Wet tail not expecting to see desired results for several days, at the
least 4. It may be sooner but you need to stick with a single program and be patent. For as long as your baby has
had poop issues it just may take a bit longer to resolve itself.
When (if) you get the Wet tail let me know a current weight and I'll let you know what the dose should be.

Edit: IR was posting as I was still typing out. I'm not trying to "override" what another suggests.
The only thing I can't stress enough is; find one program and stick with it for a substantial course
before deciding it's not working.

[RuSquirrel]

In the beginning I suggested kaopectate, I see you've tried everything else suggested except kaopectate.
When a baby has diarrhea giving a diarrheal will turn the bowels dark/black. The "black goo" is simply diarrhea
turned black from the diarrheal and showing it's in the babies system. Expecting results even with a diarrheal
takes time and possibly several doses and or days depending on the severity of the diarrhea.

I'm going to make another suggestion to you that I was turned on to by another MR of 20+ years. I have used
it myself as well as had a few others try it with success that also had thrown the book at their babies trying to
stop diarrhea.

First, only formula, nothing added in with it. Go and purchase a liquid called "Wet-tail" or "Dri-tail". (same thing)
It's a sulfa medication, inexpensive and can be found just about anyplace pet supplies are sold and usually in the
Hamster section. Dose with kaopectate at least 3x 6 hours apart for 1 day and also dose the wet tail. Wet tail can
be given up to 4x per 24hrs. Continue using the Wet tail not expecting to see desired results for several days, at the
least 4. It may be sooner but you need to stick with a single program and be patent. For as long as your baby has
had poop issues it just may take a bit longer to resolve itself.
When (if) you get the Wet tail let me know a current weight and I'll let you know what the dose should be.

Edit: IR was posting as I was still typing out. I'm not trying to "override" what another suggests.
The only thing I can't stress enough is; find one program and stick with it for a substantial course
before deciding it's not working.

Just out of curiosity where did you get that I haven't tried kaopectate? Ive actually tried using the course you recommended (every six hours three times a day, check stools and redo as necessary) at least three times now but due to the heavy metals in kaopectate I didn't want to overdo it. (You do realize kaopectate and pepto bismal are the same thing right, just different brands...? I might have substituted pepto in the text but I've been using Kao.)

I've been on the same course for about a week now, which is why i asked initially how much time it would take for something like this to get turned around. I would think in a week I would see some kind of improvement or even slight change but no, absolutely nothing. You seem very convinced that this issue is diet related. My concern based on my observations and results is that it is not. I just thought there might be something else going on. I can try the wet tail as a last ditch effort, I've seen it at the pet store I'll grab some today. His weight this am was 132 grams.

[stepnstone]

And yes it smells but not like death, so yeah I guess a little sweetish? My hunch all along has been coccidia. I will probably go ahead and try th baycox.

You are the one caring for and able to observe this baby, you have an advantage we do not.
If you have reason to believe Coccidia then go with your gut and treat for Coccidia.
Sometimes our own instincts do become the best course of action and could very
well be what is needed.